Members DonK Posted July 12, 2006 Members Posted July 12, 2006 I just spent an hour doing an A/B sound comparison with my D-41, as well as a visual inspection. I'll try to take and then post some side-by-side pics of the two tomorrow if I can get some time, and eventually I'll try to put up some comparative sound bites (I want to record them both using a mic under controlled recording conditions, i.e., high quality - probably a Shure SM-57 into my Yamaha O1X into Logic Pro). In the meantime, here's my take. I had modest expectations for this guitar. Frankly, as a bona fide Martin fanatic I'll admit that I was first attracted to the AD-80 because of its costmetic similarity to a Martin D-42. I'm a sucker for anything in the Martin D-4x series. I'd been thinking of getting a Sigma D-41 to take with me camping, to the beach, and to the annual trek to my in-laws place on Lake George in NY. When someone here first brought the Aria to my attention, I began to rethink my Sigma idea, since the Aria is all solid wood - spruce and rosewood. Given that the Aria was available for roughly the same price as the Sigma, I decided to gamble on the Aria. Well, my expectations have been far exceeded. Tonally, this guitar is about as close to the D-41 as I could have hoped to get had I spent three to four times as much. I restrung both guitars before comparing them, using the set I use on the D-41, John Pearse Bronze & Silk 610L. These strings are very similar in tone to standard JP Phosphor Bronze Lights, but are just a tad slinkier. They are not to be confused with silk & steel strings. Tonally, the two guitars sound remarkably similar. The Aria is slighly brighter sounding and is not quite as complex - at least not yet. It is only slighly less loud. All of these differences could be attributable to the fact that the Martin has had 2 1/2 years of aging and breaking-in. The neck on the Aria is definitely a tad slimmer - it feels very much like the "modified low oval" neck Martin uses on its 15 & 16 series and DM guitars. It's still very comfortable and plays easily. Action out of the box was very similar to the Martin factory action - what I would call medium. It plays buzz free, and intonation is spot on. The neck is straight, the nut is well cut and of the proper height, and the frets are nicely done. I'm convinced this is the buy of the decade, especially if you like Martin guitars and would like something that looks, sounds and plays like one but at a steeply lower price. I don't know how they can sell these at these prices; I can only guess that Aria decided to fire-sale them out to its dealers after they got the cease-and-desist order from Martin.
Members t60 fan Posted July 12, 2006 Members Posted July 12, 2006 Thanks for the update. And *sarcastically* thanks for giving me GAS. Seriously, that does sound very interesting to me. I looked at some Aria's at a shop called Uptown Strings in Westerville, Ohio (a suburb near Columbus). They looked great, but I really didn't take the time to play them, as I was there specifically to look at Larrivee's and a Koa Tacoma Chief they had. I regret not checking them out while I was there.
Members Fstpicker Posted July 12, 2006 Members Posted July 12, 2006 Your review has me intrigued about the AD-80. I had to sell my beloved Martin D-16RGT due to recent financial reasons, and this Aria seems like it very well could be a viable, less-expensive alternative. Looking forward to hearing your soundbites as well! Do you have any pictures that you would be able to share with us of it? Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Jeff P.S. As far as the cease and desist letter, I have my doubts that it is true. I know that the so-called Martin lawsuit era with Takamine was never true, but only a myth.
Members DonK Posted July 13, 2006 Author Members Posted July 13, 2006 Originally posted by Fstpicker Your review has me intrigued about the AD-80. I had to sell my beloved Martin D-16RGT due to recent financial reasons, and this Aria seems like it very well could be a viable, less-expensive alternative. Looking forward to hearing your soundbites as well! Do you have any pictures that you would be able to share with us of it?Thank you for sharing your experience with us.JeffP.S. As far as the cease and desist letter, I have my doubts that it is true. I know that the so-called Martin lawsuit era with Takamine was never true, but only a myth. Pics coming tomorrow. I had the same thoughts about the cease-and-desist letter and replied to that effect at the time. I actually posted a link to the case Gibson lost against PRS claiming the single cut violated their trademark on the LP. Nonetheless, the pic in the original post sent me out to do some research, and I couldn't believe how faithful a reproduction of a D-42 the AD-80 is, right down to the volute, which you rarely see on inexpensive guitars trying to copy Martin (Sigmas don't have it). I played it for another hour today and could barely bring myself to put it down. The obvious caveat is that mass-produced guitars in this price range are not apt to be of the consistent quality of brands like Martin, Taylor, Larrivee, etc. So anyone considering one needs to take that into account. Maybe I just got a good one (though the HC reviews are also very positive).
Members Hudman Posted July 13, 2006 Members Posted July 13, 2006 I'm glad you like it Don. It sounds like a great value.
Members guit30 Posted July 13, 2006 Members Posted July 13, 2006 Donk Does your AD have bone saddle and nut, the guitar I ordered specs bone saddle and nut. How stable does your neck look? Here is what concerned me with the ad you sent me, look at this neck joint, looks like mineJim http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c249/koeblerenterprises/ARIA%20GUITARS/13bc8a3a.jpg click on bottom right of pic to make it huge
Members DonK Posted July 13, 2006 Author Members Posted July 13, 2006 Originally posted by guit30 Donk Does your AD have bone saddle and nut, the guitar I ordered specs bone saddle and nut. How stable does your neck look? Here is what concerned me with the ad you sent me, look at this neck joint, looks like mineJimhttp://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c249/koeblerenterprises/ARIA%20GUITARS/13bc8a3a.jpgclick on bottom right of pic to make it huge Jim, I'll check into the bone saddle and nut, I'm not sure. The neck joint on mine is perfect, except for a slight roughness in the finish at the joint - it could have been cleaned up a little better. That's definitely all there is to it though - the neck joint is very firm and stable. I've already adjusted the truss rod for the strings I put on (as well as the humidity change from the store to my house). The truss rod turned easily, no looseness, very precise feeling.
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